The best Chromebooks for students in 2023: Expert tested and reviewed

Students have plenty of choices in the case of easy methods to research and get their work performed. Sure, you possibly can go along with Apple’s Mac choices, however there are additionally Windows and ChromeOS choices to select from. The latter of which is best in order for you a no-frills computing expertise.

Also: The best Chromebooks for work

The streamlined Chrome OS makes it straightforward to navigate to widespread apps like Google Docs, Google Drive, and electronic mail so students can keep on process and in contact with academics and classmates. Chromebooks even have tons of safety features, too, like mic mute, digicam shutters, and information encryption to maintain students protected from digital spying and their private data or classwork shielded from theft or misuse.

ZDNET went arms on with a lot of our high selections, together with our decide for best Chromebook total — the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook — that can assist you resolve which laptop computer is best for you. Find out how every fashions from manufacturers like Lenovo HP, and extra stack as much as resolve which Chromebook is best for your classroom wants.

The best Chromebooks for students

Pros

The best {hardware} you will discover in this value class
Brightest touchscreen on a Chromebook
8MP front-facing digicam is phenomenal
RGB keyboard

Cons

Priced greater than typical Chromebooks
Availability is proscribed

Chromebooks have come a great distance because the early years of prioritizing worth above all else. That’s to not say that the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook does not pack plenty of worth; it is simply constructed in a different way than every other Google-powered laptop computer we have tested up to now…in a great way.

Instead of specializing in compromises, HP partnered with Google to create the best, premium-tier Chromebook obtainable available on the market, and that exhibits by the commercial design of the Dragonfly Pro, the unbelievable dual-firing audio system, RGB keyboard, and show that is best described as pure eye sweet.

In truth, in case you typically end up working outside — perhaps on the campus quad or at an area espresso store — the Dragonfly Pro has the brightest touchscreen show out of all Chromebooks. It’s additionally the primary to characteristic an 8MP front-facing digicam that is been tuned by the staff behind Google’s personal Pixel cameras.

Review: HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook

As quoted from ZDNET’s full evaluate, “With 16GB of RAM and a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, there’s little to worry about when it comes to performance and day-to-day operations. Not to mention, consistent updates over the past years have given ChromeOS a more leveled playing field between it and competing operating systems. Thanks to that maturity, HP had every opportunity to capitalize on the Dragonfly Pro’s hardware — and it most certainly did.”

The HP Dragonfly Chromebook prices $999, which does not make it a cut price of a laptop computer by Chromebook means, however it nonetheless undercuts options like Apple’s MacBooks and does so with some superior (and flashy) options.

Pros

Flexible viewing and interactive expertise
Compact and sturdy sufficient to lug round in a backpack
Fanless design is each surprisingly cool and quiet

Cons

Exterior design is plasticky
Trackpad is of course smaller
Top-firing audio system usually are not as clear when laptop computer is folded

Lenovo Flex 3i specs: Display: 12.2-inch, 1920 x 1200 touchscreen | Processor: Intel Processor N100 | RAM: 4GB Storage: 64GB eMMC | Camera: 720p front-facing | Ports: 2 USB3.0, USB-C, MicroSD Multi-media Card Reader, headphone jack| Battery: 12 hours

If you are typically shifting from constructing to constructing, flooring to flooring, then an ultraportable, light-weight Chromebook might serve you best. To be clear, a lot of the Chromebooks on this shopping for checklist make the reduce so far as portability is worried, however the Lenovo Flex 3i arguably provides you probably the most performance for its dimension.

The laptop computer weighs about 2.75 kilos, has a large 12.2-inch show that helps touchscreen enter, and may be folded throughout to rework itself right into a tented show or pill. Lenovo outfitted the brand new Flex 3i with an Intel Processor N100, too, which, when paired with the 4GB of RAM, ought to be greater than able to powering most scholar duties.

Review: Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook

ZDNET tested the Chromebook and discovered it each performant and environment friendly sufficient to stream hours of content material, write and edit paperwork, and have a number of tabs open without delay. The cherry on high is the shortage of hissing noises sometimes discovered in fan-powered laptops. That makes this a distraction-free Chromebook, particularly in case you’re churning out last-second papers in the library.

Pros

Fully modular design provides you freedom of ports and energy
Rigid construct high quality even with all of the shifting elements
Extensive software program assist with ChromeOS

Cons

Speakers can sound muffled
Doesn’t have a touchscreen show (or possibility for one)
Have to purchase the laptop computer and its elements à la carte

Picture this: You use your laptop computer for a few years and discover that the battery has degraded considerably, the chassis is worn out, and the ports you as soon as thought you’d want now exist to gather mud. That does not sound like an excellent funding, does it?

Framework, the corporate behind the absolutely modular and sustainable laptop computer, launched its first Chromebook variant late final yr. Since then, it stays probably the most planet-friendly Chromebook cash should purchase proper now, and in case you’re up for a tool that is fully customizable to your wants, that is the one.

Review: Framework Chromebook

From the selection of ports to the colour of the show bezel to how a lot reminiscence you need on board, just about each side of the Framework Chromebook may be tweaked, modified, and up to date. That method, the laptop computer does not fall behind on specs and performance as time passes.

Naturally, working on ChromeOS additionally provides the system software program assist for years down the highway. If to procure one right this moment, you possibly can anticipate frequent software program and safety patches till 2030.

Pros

Tablet and laptop computer mode
Big display for such a small system
An excellent variety of ports

Cons

It might use extra RAM
Camera is decrease high quality

If you need each a pill and a laptop computer, get a 2-in-1 just like the Asus Chromebook Flip C434. This Chromebook comes in a number of configurations, however I checked out the lower-end mannequin. This got here with a dual-core Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. Despite its comparatively lower-end {hardware}, it has an honest CrXPRT benchmark rating of 75.

With its matte-silver aluminum end and chrome trim, it is also a really good-looking machine. When you flip it on to work with its 14-inch display, you will be happy by its sharp, vivid show.

I’m not an enormous fan of touchscreens on laptops, however this one wasn’t only a fairly face. It was straightforward to work with, and, for as soon as, I discovered myself typically utilizing it. Normally, I cease bothering with touchscreens. I discovered each the keyboard play and touchpad really feel to be first rate, however nothing to put in writing dwelling about.

At 6 x 8 x 0.6 inches and 3.1 kilos, the Flip 434 is a bit heavier than most 2-in-1 designs, however I doubt most individuals will discover the distinction.

For ports, it comes with a USB 3.1 Type-A port, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack on the left, and one other second USB-C port and a microSD card on the appropriate. You can use each Type-C ports to energy the machine.

With its Li-ion 48W/H battery, this Asus mannequin got here in with an trustworthy 10 hours of battery life.

Pros

Routine replace schedule
Good battery life

Cons

Performance might not be all that spectacular
Lack of ports

Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 5 is an ideal possibility for somebody who lives and works inside Google’s ecosystem of companies and merchandise. It’s a full-fledged ChromeOS system, however as a substitute of getting a completely hooked up keyboard, it is a pill that docks into the keyboard that comes in the field. Finally, there is a pill that comes with a keyboard.

When it is docked, you will get a normal Chromebook format and interface. You can entry your whole Chrome apps, go to web sites, and the like. You may also set up Android apps straight from the Google Play Store. These are the identical apps you possibly can set up in your telephone, a few of that are optimized for tablets.

Review: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5: Great Chromebook, nice pill

When you disconnect the keyboard from the Duet 5, the interface will barely regulate and adapt to a touch-first strategy, ultimate for a pill. If you reside and work in Google’s ecosystem, then the Chromebook Duet 5 makes plenty of sense.

The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is the best Chromebook for students, due to its sufficient processor, modern design, and nice battery life.

Chromebook	Price	Storage	Display	Camera	Battery life
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook	$999	256GB	14-inch touchscreen	8MP	11.5 hours
Lenovo Flex 3i	$349	64GB	12.2-inch touchscreen	720p	12 hours
Framework Chromebook	Starting at $999	Up to 1TB	13.5-inch	720p	7 hours
Asus Chromebook Flip C434	Starting at $269	64GB	14-inch touchscreen	720p	10 hours
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5	Starting at $379	128GB	13.3-inch touchscreen	5MP	12 hours

One of the great issues about Chromebooks is that nearly any Chromebook will work for you. Yes, there are actual variations between them in the case of velocity and reminiscence, which is one other side of velocity, display dimension, brightness, and decision for sensible functions. But, for sheer performance, all of them do just about the identical job.

Generally talking, the older the scholar, the extra energy they’ll use. On the opposite aspect of the age hole, as long as a Chromebook can take a beating and carry on operating, it is effective for a youthful child.

Personally, identical to with any laptop, I’ll take all the ability and display actual property I can get. But, for the students in your private home, you needn’t spend some huge cash for them to go to highschool just about.

Choose this Chromebook…	If you need or are…
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook	The best total possibility that cash should purchase. Scoring a 4/5 on ZDNET’s official evaluate, the HP Dragonfly Pro capitalizes on the ChromeOS platform by pairing the clear software program with premium {hardware}, together with the best webcam and brightest touchscreen show available on the market.
Lenovo Flex 3i	A Chromebook that delivers probably the most options for the cash. It additionally helps contact inputs, and the 2-in-1 kind issue helps you to streamline your workflow by eliminating the necessity for a separate pill.
Framework Chromebook	A Chromebook that may adapt to your ever-changing wants, from port choices to exterior design to storage dimension. The modular kind issue helps you to simply modify the laptop computer for a extra sustainable funding.
Asus Chromebook Flip C434	A 2-in-1 Chromebook that is ultimate for classwork and on-the-go research. Its massive touchscreen additionally makes the Flip nice for artwork work and regardless of the lower-end {hardware}, it nonetheless achieves an honest benchmark CrXPRT rating of 75.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5	Extended battery life for your Chromebook. Its 12-hour battery life is greater than sufficient time for lessons and a research session.

See also The Best Chromebooks Reviews

Along with deciding on based mostly on hands-on, knowledgeable testing, ZDNET chosen these Chromebooks for students based mostly on CrXRPT 2.0 benchmarks. This check tells you how briskly a Chromebook handles belongings you do on daily basis, together with taking part in video video games, watching films, and modifying pictures and supplies an total rating. The greater the rating, the higher.

This benchmark consists of six situation checks: photograph results, face detection, offline notes, inventory portfolio dashboard, DNA sequence evaluation, 3D shapes with WebGL and three further video, music, and sport participant checks.

Photo Effects: Applies three results (Sharpen, Emboss, and Glow) to 2 pictures every, a set of six pictures whole.
Face Detection: Checks for human faces in a set of 5 pictures (low decision).
Offline Notes: Measures the time to encrypt, retailer, and show notes from native storage.
Stock Portfolio Dashboard: Calculates and shows totally different graphical views of a inventory portfolio.
DNA Sequence Analysis: Measures the time it takes to course of eight DNA sequences for open studying frames and amino acids.
3D Shapes with WebGL: Generates equation-based 3D shapes and shows them with WebGL.
Video Player: Plays a two-minute 1080p H.264 video clip in a browser from the native system.
Music Player: Plays an audio clip for three minutes.
HTML5-based sport: Runs an impression.js-based sport for about two minutes.

All checks have been run utilizing ChromeOS 89. Wi-Fi was on, however Bluetooth was disabled through the benchmarking. The screens have been set to 80% brightness.

Chromebooks are good for nearly any job. But they’re nice for students. If a scholar can use an online browser, they’ll use a Chromebook.

For academics and college directors, Google additionally supplies G Suite for Education and Google Classroom to assist them make distant studying as straightforward as potential.

You can argue that because of ChromeOS’s built-in safety, even out-of-support Chromebooks are safer than a more recent macOS or Windows laptop computer. Don’t imagine me? In Chromebook’s 10-year historical past, solely 45 ChromeOS safety exploits have been documented.

The major level is that in case you’re brief on money, an affordable used or older mannequin Chromebook will work simply effective. And, because it’s trivial to erase a Chromebook and then reset it to your account, it is a lot safer than shopping for a used Windows laptop computer.

A Chromebook could be a nice laptop computer alternative for students of all ages. They’re extra fundamental than their Windows-based counterparts, which implies even very younger kids will be capable to use them. They even have much less highly effective processors and graphics capabilities, lowering the temptation to play video games all night time reasonably than end up homework.

A Chromebook’s battery life is its greatest promoting level, with many fashions sporting at the least 10 hours of use on a full cost. This means your children will not should preserve monitor of charging cables in order to make use of their Chromebook all through the varsity day.

There are numerous choices on the market in case you’re trying for a Chromebook geared in direction of students of all ages. Here’s a brief checklist of alternate Chromebooks I believed have been nice selections for students: